I have heard rumors about the "rude French". I must disagree!! The vast majority of interactions I've had with the French have been very pleasant. They have been kind, helpful, and polite. Although they may be more reserved than Americans, I would consider them far from rude. We had a couple of "rude" interactions, but I'm sure you would run across at least that many traveling in the States as well.
The sad thing is....I have come to know the "Ugly American Tourist", UAT for short. Here are a few examples of the UAT:
* At our nice 3 star Paris boutique hotel, an American comes down to the desk and rudely states, "We need to check out. This hotel is not up to our standards!" The desk clerk calmly replies, "What seems to be the problem?" UAT says, with more emphasis and getting louder, "This hotel is just not up to our standards!!" The clerk asks, "Would you like to be moved to another room?" UAT..."No! We are just going to leave!" Clerk..."Could you tell me what the problem is?" UAT..."No!"
Now, I don't know what the problem really was but I have some guesses. This tourist probably didn't know much about Paris hotels or boutique hotels. Paris hotel rooms are small. They have to be small. You're in Paris! Real estate is at a premium. And unless you want to pay a year's wages for a night's stay, you're going to get a small room. And boutique hotels don't necessarily have all the amenities you might expect in an American hotel (think pool, bar, etc.). Therefore, the three star rating. Therefore, you don't expect the moon at flashlight prices.
* At the Louvre a UAT is overheard saying, "I can't believe we paid so much to see this!" Are you freaking out of your mind?! You're in the LOUVRE!!!!!
* At the Paris airport we encounter two rude ladies ordering coffee. One is loudly ordering hot milk to be put in her coffee that she had ordered as "black". The other is getting increasingly loud as she says, "Can't you make a coffee the American way? Add hot water all the way to the top! To the TOP!!" I am sheepishly hiding my American face.
Traveling is great fun and I am overwhelmed that I have been so blessed to have been on this awesome adventure. But sometimes you just know it's time to go home. Here are some of those hints:
* I need to see my family! I NEED to see my family!
* I can't wait to use toilets and sinks that I know how to use and don't have to look around for hints.
* My stomach is doing flip flops from all the delicious and rich foods I've eaten.
* We're starting to refer to amazing Gothic churches and stunning architecture as "just another church" or "just another beautiful building".
* I want to watch some television that's in English besides CNN.
* My feet have so many blisters on them that I have band-aids on almost all my toes.
* I am saying, "Merci!" when Larry pulls out my chair and not even thinking that's weird.
* I'm guessing here...but I think Jacque is anxious to be able to order meat that is cooked in any manner other than rare.
* I'm craving barbecue....anything barbecued.
And with that, I say "Adieu!" "Arrivederci!" and "Good-bye!"
....until the next time.
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